LORAIN -- Every year Chris and Julie Mead's family grows a little larger, at least for the summer.

The couple has opened their home to out-of-state Lorain County Ironmen players for the past four years as part of the baseball team's host family program.

"We're going to be having up to four to six additional host families this year," said Kevin Rhomberg, owner of the Ironmen.

Much like a family taking in an exchange student, host families provide a room and food for the college-aged players traveling to Lorain to compete.

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"They have to provide a separate room for the players and availability to their kitchen for cooking and providing food," Rhomberg said. Families must go through a screening process, he said.

"If a kid comes from out of town, it gives them a good feel for the people in the community," he said. "It is something that has been outstanding for us, all of our families have had good, positive experiences."

The Mead family typically hosts two players each year.

It isn't a one-sided exchange, though, the family said the experience has been very rewarding. Besides season tickets, the family also gains lifelong friends.

"The players really become part of the family," Chris Mead said. "They're like your own kid. The only negative about the whole situation is that when they have to leave, it feels like you are losing a part of your family."

The players integrate in to the family's lives for three months.

For the Meads, that means integrating with their three children, which the players have done well.

Julie Mead said her sons idolize the players and often see them as big brothers. Some of the players have taken the boys to Cedar Point and to batting cages or go-karting. One even had one of her son's visit him in Texas.

"They thought it was very cool that these boys could be professional players at some point," she said. The family has started to eagerly anticipate the players every year.

With social media, the family has stayed in touch with all of the players who have come through and often they'll keep an eye out for them when watching college baseball games.

Jim and Sandy Oswalt have housed at least one player each year since the start of the program.

Sandy Oswalt said her family regularly sends Christmas cards and text messages to the players. Some of them have even moved on to the major leagues. One player, William "Steel" Russell, for example, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012.

"We like to keep in touch with them and find out where they are at," she said.

The family used to house exchange students and turned to the Ironmen program when it started.

Most of the season the players are on the road and when they aren't, the players are old enough to take care of themselves.

Both the Meads and the Oswalts said the players were respectful and self-sufficient. Most prepare their own meals and clean their own clothes.

"It just becomes a great experience because you get to meet so many people," she said. "All of the players are nice."

Chris Mead said many of the players are on scholarship and know what is expected of them behavior wise. They are not out partying and causing trouble while they are here, he said.

"These kids have a lot to lose, so they aren't going to do anything to put that at jeopardy," he said.

The Meads have trusted players enough to leave them alone in their home while the family was on vacation, Chris Mead said.

"We trusted them because you get so close in such a short period of time," he said.

Chris Mead said he hopes more families get involved. The more families involved, the more talented players who can be brought in, he said.

"The main thing we are trying to do here is help these kids reach their dream," he said. "These kids want to take this to the next level of baseball. To me, this is helping them to reach that."

For more information about becoming a host family, visit Pipeyard Stadium at 2040 Meister Road or call 440-752-0372.